"Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly." -New Yorker The famous bestseller with "concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement" (Wall St. Journal) by the legendary San Francisco longshoreman. A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer-the first and most famous of his books-was made into a bestseller when ...
Read More
"Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly." -New Yorker The famous bestseller with "concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement" (Wall St. Journal) by the legendary San Francisco longshoreman. A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer-the first and most famous of his books-was made into a bestseller when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences. Called a "brilliant and original inquiry" and "a genuine contribution to our social thought" by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., this landmark in the field of social psychology is completely relevant and essential for understanding the world today as it delivers a visionary, highly provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and a penetrating study of how an individual becomes one. In times of crisis, the great works of philosophy help us make sense of the world. This book is part of the Harper Perennial Resistance Library, a special five-book series highlighting short classic works of independent thought that illuminate the nature of truth, humanity's dangerous attraction to authoritarianism, the influence of media and mass communication, and the philosophy of resistance-all critical in understanding today's politically charged world.
Read Less
The techniques that mass movements use are useful to understand - from politicians to religious movements the characteristics are simple, repeatable and successful - read so you know how you are being manipulated.
aunty
Apr 1, 2009
Though relatively short what it lacks in volume it more than makes up for in content quality. It is difficult to find a better treatise on the nature (antecedants, behaviors, consequences) of zealots or fanatics. His analysis is both original and coldly accurate. Both descriptively and prescriptively. A classic with timeless value.
Alexander711
Sep 6, 2007
Wonderful book
The True Believer is a wonderful and witty exploration into the minds of fanatics and zealots. Completely interesting from the first word to the last; Eric Hoffer throws you head first into a concise, logical and complete examination of the fanatic's mind and the environment which creates him.
